1 (277)
SHACKELFORD CLAN MAGAZINE
Genealogy of Shackelfords and Shacklefords
Editor: T. K. Jones 716 Ave. A Lubbock, Texas
$1.00 A Year Published Monthly 10c A Copy
Lubbock, Texas April 1948 Vol. 3. No. 12
--------------------
Motto: A people which takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors, are not likely to achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote descendants.
--------------------
A DISTINGUISHED GEORGIAN
In the February issue of the Clan we told you of the passing of one of our most venerable members--Col Thomas Jefferson Shackelford, of Athens, Ga., December 6, 1947. And now this month we are going to tell you something of the man himself, and we will let one of his friends speak for us.
This friend wrote a brief history of his life, and as we feel that we cannot improve on that story, we will just pass it along to you.
We never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Shackelford, but we have had some correspondence with him; and early last year he told this writer that he was planning a trip to this part of the country and a visit to our home was on his itinerary. However, his health never permitted him to make that journey. His story follows, but first we would like to correct the error regarding the date of his death. The date was November 29, instead of December 6th, 1947.
The story: Athens lost one of its eldest and most highly honored cirtizens when Thomas Jefferson Shackelford passed on after a long illness.
For many weary weeks he had fought back the advances of the Grim Reaper with the courage and determination that had chartacterized his whole life, but in spite of the most expert professional attention and the loving care of those near
2 (278)
and dear to him, it was at last a losing battle. He was born in Jackson County, the son of Charles W. and Carrie N. Chandler-Shackelford. In his boyhood days he attended Martin Institute and was graduated therefrom. He entered The University of Georgia in 1887, dropped out one year, and graduated in 1891 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, after having made a splendid record and demonstrating his ability as a student. The next year he entered The University Law School and graduated in 1892 with the degree--Bachelor of Law. By virtue of his high scholastic standing he was made a member of Phi Betta Kappa honorary scholastic society.
In September 1892 he started the practice of law in Athens, and for the past fifty five years had achieved a great success in his chosen profession. He advanced to a high position among the lawyers of Georgia and the South. Perhaps his outstanding characteristic as a lawyer was the care and attention he gave to his cases and his never giving up a fight once commenced. He was a most successful practitioner in criminal law and out of dozens of cases involving the death penalty he never allowed one of his clients to go to the death chair. Early in his professional life he began his great service to The University of Georgia. In the closing years of the nineteenth century he was a member of The State Legislature from Clark County, and while there succeeded in putting The University of (sic) the maintenance appropriation act for the first time in the almost one hundred years of the history of that institution.
When Walter B. Hill was chosen as Chancellor of The University in 1899, Mr. Shackelford became one of the firmest friends and most loyal supporters of Mr. Hill. Mr. Hill started a movement to enlarge The University campus and The University Alumni Society named a committee known as The Land Trustees to carry on the campaign for the enlarged campus. The committee consisted of Chancellor Hill, T. J. Shackelford and Henry Hodgson. It fell to the lot of Mr. Shackelford to do most of the detailed
3 (279)
work of the committee and all of the legal work required in the examiniation of land titles and the making of contracts. It was this work that he made one of his greatest contributions to the upbuilding of his Alma Mater. Scores of houses and lots were purchased and hundreds of acres of land acquired. Death came to Mr. Hill after only a short service in this work and Chancellor or (sic) Barrow was named as his successor. The work went on steadily until its completion.
Mr. Shackelford took part in the Southern Educational conference held in Athens in 1902, presided over by Robert C. Ogden, prominent Northern Philanthropist and business man. In 1905 Mr. Shackelford was among those who went to the University of Wisconsin to study the best plans for the re-organization of The Georgia College of Agriculture, and on his return was of much assistance in getting through the legislature the Conner Act in 1906 under which the College of Agriculture as we know it today, was re-organized.
Mr. Shackelford was intensely interested in education, not only through the University but also through all the Institutions, and in many ways he contributed to movements in their behalf. For many years he served as president of The Board of Trustees of The State Normal School, and as a member of the Board of Trustees of The University of Ga.
Mr. Shackelford was also greatly interested in agriculture. Many years ago when the selling price of cotton and the marketing of the staple was engaging the attention of the entire South, he was a member of The Southern Cotton Association, was also named as counsel for that organization, and made stirring and convincing addresses in Texas, North Carolina, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Georgia. He was indeed a great orator.
So devoted was he to The University of Georgia that one of his last wishes expressed during his long illness was that his funeral be conducted in the historic old University Chapel from whose stage he had, as a young man, received his diploma; and in that building the funeral was held.
4 (280)
Mr. Shackelford was married twice, his first wife having been Miss Sujette Lanier, of West Point, Ga., who died two years after their marriage. Years later he was married to Miss Hilda Huddle, a cultured daughter of Virginia, who survives him, along with their two young children--Hilda and Thomas J., Jr. He is also survived by two brothers--Frank C. and George, and also by a number of nephews and nieces.
In public life he was always a prominent figure who took a lively interest in all affairs in the nature of a civic improvement. He was an active advocate of the establishment of the General Hospital. Ten years ago he was an advocate of the establishment of a government farm products market in Athens. The movement at the time did not succeed, but now there is every indication that such a market will soon be established.
In religion Mr. Shackelford was a member of the Presbyterian Church. He was my true and loyal friend for a period of almost sixty years. His hand was ever ready to aid those who needed his assistance. In hundreds of cases in which he had warm affection for his clients or sensed their need, he did not charge a fee. He could be depended on to go the full limit in any work in which he thought he could serve a friend or advance the best interest of his host of friends and acquaintances. There is a personal sorrow in his passing, relieved only in the conviction that "To live in the hearts we leave behind, is not to die". By his life long friend--T. W. Reed.
-------------------------------------
"The measure of a man is not--
How did he die? but--How did he live?
Not--What did he gain? But what did he give?
Not--What did the sketch in the newspapers say?
But--How many were sorry when he passed away?
-------------------------------------
This number completes the third year of the life of The Shackelford Clan Magazine. And to say that we are pleased with the response that we have had, and the results attained through
5 (281)
its medium would be putting it mildly indeed. We are grateful beyond words to express for the cooperation that you have shown, and again wish to take this method and opportunity to thank each of you for your wonderful help and encouragement.
------------------------------------------
We wish to welcome Mr. Waid Scott Willis, of San Antonio, Texas, as a new subscriber; and Miss Ora Tanquary, of Van Wert, Ohio; Mrs. W. W. Shackelford, of Bates City, Mo.; and Mrs. A. C. Ellis, of Los Gatos, California, for their subscription renewals. Many thanks to each of you, and our very best wishes for your success and happiness.
We also wish to acknowledge receipt of additional data from the following persons: Mrs. Julia S. Dillard, of Atlanta; Mrs Lilla Riley, of Okolona, Ark.; Mrs. J. B. Shackelford, of Jones, La.; Mrs. D. L. Stoddard, of Spartanburg, S.C.; Mr. Waid Scott Willis, of San Antonio, Texas; and Mrs. C. P. McGuire, of Birmingham, Alabama. To all of whom we are greatful indeed, and thank you very much.
--------------------------------------
PERSONALS
January 1948 marked the debut of the Mills Family Magazine. And we would like to insert a plug for our good friend--Mr. Harry Willard Mills, the publisher. For some years now Mr. Mills has issued "The Mills Lettergram", but now has converted it into a full fledged "Clan Periodical". His address is 4805 30th St., North, Arlington, Virginia, and if any of our readers are interested in, or has data of any Mills Families, Mr. Mills would be grateful to know it, we feel sure.
Mrs. A. C. Ellis, of Los Gatos, California, wrote us recently that she was leaving for Washington, D.C., Virginia, and points along the Atlantic coast, to be away for some five or six months, visiting and doing research. Mrs. Ellis married into the Shackelford Clan, and has been wonderfully cooperative, and we wish her a great deal of pleasure and a happy
6 (282)
hunting on her journey.
-------------------------------------
This month we have a belated report of the arrival of a fine baby son at the home of Major and Mrs. Lewis S. Weber, Dec. 17, 1947, at their home, at that time being Little Rock, Ark., but since have moved to Chilicothe, Ohio. Mrs. Weber is the daughter of the late Mr. Guy and Mrs. Lila Shackelford-Riley, of Okolona, Ark.
Also a visit from the Stork brought a son to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Archie Frank and Lettie Grace Lewis-Judkins, of Hinckley, Minnesota. But no date was shown. Mrs. Judkins is a daughter of the late Mr. Grover Hart Lewis, of Wildersville, Tenn., and Mrs. Ada Shackelford-Lewis.
------------------------------------
No marriages were reported this past month, but we were saddened by the report of two deaths among our number.
A belated report informs us of the death of Mr. Guy Riley, of Okolona, Ark., June 29, 1947.
Guy Riley was born April 25, 1878. He married Miss Lila Shackelford, April 9, 1900, to which union were born five children, one of whom died in childhood. He is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters, and eleven grand children, and numerous other relatives and a multitude of associates and friends.
This writer had the pleasure of being entertained in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Riley in 1942, during one of our research tours, and we shall always cherish the memory of that visit.
Elmer O. Shackelford, was born the son of Elmer Marcellus and Annie Catherine Owens-Shackelford, in Pike County, Ga., and he passed to his eternal reward at his home in Griffin, Ga., February 27, 1948, at the age of 31 years.
He was a former Marine, veteran of world war two, and participated in the Okinawa campaign.
He is survived by his wife, three children, his father, two sisters and a multitude of other relatives and friends.
7 (283)
And so the Editor, on behalf of the entire Clan, extends profound sympathy and sincere consolation of hope to all the bereaved. May God bless you in your hours of great sorrow.
-----------------------------------
"Truth is tough. It will not break like a bubble at the touch; nay, you may kick it about all day, like a football, and it will be round and full at evening"--Holmes
------------------------------------
"The man who misses all the fun,
Is he who says "It can't be done",
The world would sleep if things were run,
By men who say "It can't be done".--Anon
------------------------------------
Edmund Shackelford, Jr., youngest son of Captain Edmund Shackelford, and his wife Judith Eastin, was born about 1790/1800. He died in Taliaferro Co., Ga., about 1840. He married Esther Stoneham, in Jackson Co., Ga., who was born 1804, in Georgia, and was still living in Jackson Co., Ga., 1850. They had the following children:
Charles William---(married Carolyn N. Chandler)
Edmund H.-------(married ??
Sarah H.----------(married ??
Anson------------(married ??
Thomas Jefferson-(married ??
Charles William Shackelford, son of Edmund, Jr., and Esther Stoneham, was born in Jackson Co., Ga., 1826. he married Carolyn N. Chandler, who was born in Georgia, 1835. They are known to have had the following children, perhaps others:
Henry---------------(married ??
Thomas Jefferson----(married 1st Sujette Lanier, married second Hilda Huddle)
Frank C.------------(never married.
George--------------(married ??
William C.-----------(married ??
Montine-------------(married ??
The above is the ancestry of Col. Thomas J. Shackelford, whose story appears in this issue of the
8 (284)
Magazine. And we would be most grateful for any additional information of this branch of the family.
-----------------------------------
Francis Shackelford, born in Virginia, date not known, married Eunice ??. And they had or known to have had the following children, probably others:
John--------------------(married Jeane or Jane Shields)
Rebecca----------------(married ??
Armistead--------------(married Nancy Holcombe, 1786)
Hennie or Henry--------(married Mary Shields, 1784)
Absalom----------------(married ??, moved to Arkansas)
Abner------------------(married Frances Wright, 1795)
Betsy-------------------(married ??
Above records according to the will of Francis Shackelford, dated 1782, and probated 1785, in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.
John T. Brooke or Brock, married Mrs. Frances Shackelford, December 24, 1798, in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.
We would like to know if Abner Shackeford, son of Francis, who married Frances Wright, died soon after his marriage, and his widow--Frances, is she who married John T. Brooke or Brock. Can any one help us out on this problem?
Abner Shackelford, born 1796, (full name was Abner Terry) thought to have been in Culpepper Co., or of Culpepper Co. He married Nancy Gossett, in Pulaski Co., Ky., March 15, 1818. And we would like to know if this Abner Terry Shackelford, was a son of Abner Shackelford and Frances Wright, of Pittsylvania Co., Va.?
One of our Clan is trying to establish a DAR line through Abner Shackelford and Nancy Gossett, so she, as well as we, will be grateful for help.
------------------------------------
Alexander W. Black married Talula Ann Shackelford, daughter of Francis Marion and Mary C. Watson-Shackelford, February 18, 1868. They had six children, perhaps more. This is a very prominent family, and we would be happy to have more information of them.
Until next month, Adios-The Editor.
Transcribed by Alex Early May 18, 1998
UpdatedThursday, 01-May-2008 16:49:24 EDT